Air Products, a leading global supplier of performance materials, has won the 2012 Ringier Coatings Technology Innovation Awards for its new Airase™ 8070 deaerator, a high performance, siloxane polyether-based deaerator for controlling microfoam and pinholes in waterborne coatings, especially those applied with high-speed techniques such as airless or air-assisted spray. It's the second consecutive year for Air Products to receive the awards.

"We are honored that our new Airase™ 8070 deaerator has won this prestigious award which represents our long-standing commitment to deliver high performance and environment-friendly products to China's coatings industry," said Ricky Yuen, Commercial Manager of Specialty Additives, Air Products Asia, at the awards ceremony on May 15 in Shanghai. "We will continue to develop innovative solutions to help formulators address challenges of waterborne coatings with our technology and market leadership strengths in water-based applications."

Unlike most conventional defoamers which are active only at the coating of the surface, Airase™ 8070 deaerator is highly effective in eliminating microfoam, a major problem faced by low-VOC waterborne formulators, and reducing pinholes and craters in coating film to improve gloss, depth of image among other aesthetical properties. With strong compatibility, the zero-VOC deaerator is ideal for coating formulators seeking minimum surface defects, durability and high performance and is recommended for water-based applications such as wood furniture coatings, joinery and industrial coatings applied onto metal, plastic.

Air Products has more than 40 years' experience in materials science and surface chemistry and is a pioneer in the shift from solvent to water-based technology in addressing customers' performance and environmental needs. Air Products Specialty Additives Division is dedicated to waterborne development in automotive, ink, wood coating, adhesive, specialty coatings among other applications.

Launched in 2006, the Ringier Technology Innovation Awards recognize those who have made the most significant contributions for the advancement of industry through technical innovation, increasing productivity, boosting economic efficiency and creating market opportunities. The awards for the coatings industry were set up in 2011. To qualify for the Awards, products must be relevant to China and in the forefront of the international coatings industry, and be judged to have helped take China's coatings industry to new levels.

About Air Products

Air Products provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of approximately $10 billion.